From the Guidelines
To lower C-Reactive Protein (CRP) levels, maintaining a healthy weight through a combination of a Mediterranean diet and regular exercise is crucial, as supported by the most recent and highest quality study 1.
Key Recommendations
- Adopt a Mediterranean diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fish, and olive oil, which has been shown to reduce inflammation and CRP levels 1.
- Engage in regular moderate exercise, such as 30 minutes of physical activity daily, 5 days a week, to reduce inflammation and lower CRP levels 1.
- Maintain a healthy weight, as excess fat tissue produces inflammatory substances that can increase CRP levels 1.
- Quit smoking and limit alcohol consumption to moderate levels, as smoking and excessive alcohol consumption can increase inflammation and CRP levels 1.
Lifestyle Changes
- Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep nightly to help reduce inflammation and stress.
- Manage stress through meditation, yoga, or deep breathing exercises to minimize its impact on inflammation.
- Stay hydrated with 8-10 glasses of water daily to help reduce inflammation.
Medications
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen (400-800mg every 6-8 hours) can temporarily reduce CRP levels.
- Statins such as atorvastatin (10-80mg daily) may have anti-inflammatory effects beyond cholesterol reduction.
- Omega-3 supplements (1-2g daily) can also help reduce inflammation and lower CRP levels.
Importance of Recent Evidence
The most recent study 1 provides strong evidence for the importance of lifestyle changes, including a Mediterranean diet and regular exercise, in reducing CRP levels. This study highlights the need for a comprehensive approach to reducing inflammation and lowering CRP levels, rather than relying solely on medications. By prioritizing lifestyle changes and maintaining a healthy weight, individuals can effectively lower their CRP levels and reduce their risk of cardiovascular disease and other inflammatory conditions.
From the Research
Methods to Lower C-Reactive Protein (CRP) Levels
- Lifestyle modifications, including exercise training and diet instruction, have been shown to decrease hs-CRP levels in overweight and obese adults 2
- Weight loss and improved aerobic capacity are independent predictors of the changes in hs-CRP 2
- Aerobic-based exercise protocols have been found to significantly reduce CRP levels in some studies, although results are mixed 3
- Combination diet/exercise programs have been found to have significant anti-inflammatory effects, with significant CRP reductions seen in five of seven such trials 3
- Dietary fibre consumption has been associated with reduced CRP levels, with significantly lower CRP concentrations seen with increased fibre consumption 4
- Mechanisms for the anti-inflammatory effects of lifestyle modifications and dietary fibre may involve weight loss, altered fatty acid intakes, and changes in insulin, glucose, and adiponectin secretion 4
Factors Influencing CRP Levels
- Fibrinogen, for which erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) is an indirect measure, has a longer half-life than CRP, making ESR helpful in monitoring chronic inflammatory conditions 5
- CRP is more useful in diagnosis and monitoring responses to therapy in acute inflammatory conditions, such as acute infections 5
- Various factors can result in falsely high or low ESR and CRP levels, and it is essential to consider these when interpreting results 5
Medications and CRP Levels
- Tofacitinib has been found to reduce ESR and CRP levels in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, although its effectiveness compared to methotrexate may depend on the specific context and patient population 6